Intel Irish fab to slip a year

Updated Chipzilla has delayed starting production at its new Fab 24 in Leixlip, Ireland, by 12 months to the second half of 2002.

Plans for the $2 billion, 135,000sq ft fab were unveiled in June when it was announced that the factory would be used principally to build Pentium 4s on a 130nm process.

But a slump in chip demand has given Intel the opportunity to delay the scheme which will allow the company to start production on 300mm wafers from day one rather than starting at 200mm and re-tooling later.

Intel's first 300mm plant, Fab 11X in New Mexico, is also on schedule to begin operations towards the middle of 2002.

When complete, Fab 24 is expected to create over 1000 new jobs in the Dublin area. There are currently 3300 Intel employees in Leixlip with a further 1400 in permanent employment with long-term subcontractors. ®